'You don't ever want a cricket-related death' - Jofra Archer recalls his dangerous bouncer to Steve Smith from Ashes 2019

England pacer Jofra Archer recalled the enticing faceoff with Australia’s Steve Smith during the 2019 Ashes when he had struck the latter on the head with a deadly bouncer that left him concussed. At the time, Smith, who was scoring runs for fun, was inching closer towards his third consecutive century in the series. However, the head blow meant he had to leave the field on 80.

Smith had fallen flat on the ground immediately after he copped the blow before being attended by the medics and physios. He got back on to his feet after treatment but did not bat and chose to walk out instead, with Marnus Labuschagne walking in as a substitute.

A couple of years after the incident, Archer recalled the moment and stated that delivery could have caused a lot more damage to Smith. Archer also relooked at the unfortunate incident involving Australian batter Phillip Hughes, who succumbed after being hit on his head by a short-pitch delivery from Sean Abbott during a Sheffield Shield encounter in 2014.

Jofra Archer looks back at Phillip Hughes tragedy 

“I think in England personally when the ball hits you it can feel a lot worse than it is because sometimes it’s a bit cold and I thought it was that until I actually saw him roll … when he went down and then he rolled on his back, I went ‘oh dear,’ you know.

“I thought it was very serious, but he came out and he batted again. Obviously, you don’t ever want a cricket related death. There was one already and there’s no need for another one. It’s hard enough trying to get the kids to come and play cricket,” Archer said while speaking to NewsCorp.

Smith had to sit out of the next fixture at Headingley, however, he managed to notch a record tally of 774 runs at a stellar average of 110.57, including a double-century, two centuries and three half-centuries.

“I know they say he’s tough as nails anyway, but I don’t think he would have come out to bat again if he wasn’t. Just his resilience. You are putting yourself out there and risking everything for your team. Honestly, throughout that whole series, I just think his wicket wasn’t for me. There were a few top edges that could have gone to hand. But I just enjoyed the challenge,” Archer further said.